Missoula County outlines next steps after FEMA publishes preliminary floodplain maps for three rivers

Missoula County officials said preliminary floodplain maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Clark Fork, Bitterroot and Rock Creek will begin a multi-step review that could affect insurance, lending and development standards in parts of the county.

"If the county were to decide we're not going to adopt regulations that reference these maps, nobody in the county would be able to purchase flood insurance through the NFIP," said Matt Heimel, Missoula County planner and floodplain administrator, describing why the county must reference FEMA maps to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The maps, Heimel said, are produced by FEMA and provide a national standard of flood hazard products that communities use to assess risk and to determine eligibility for NFIP insurance and certain federal disaster aid. Heimel said private flood insurance is available but that NFIP policies have federal backing and standardized pricing managed by the NFIP.

Why it matters: properties that fall into FEMA's mapped floodplain can trigger lender requirements for flood insurance on federally backed loans. Heimel also said that if a community declines to adopt FEMA-referenced regulations it could affect residents' access to NFIP policies and eligibility for federal disaster assistance.

Heimel said homeowners seeing their property on a preliminary map do not need to move or immediately alter existing structures. "They don't have to start changing their house," he said, but cautioned that new construction after the maps become final would be subject to updated development standards and that many homeowners will want to consider retrofitting or elevating utilities and mechanical systems to reduce flood risk.

Technical change near Orchard Homes levee: Heimel described a reanalysis of the Clark Fork near the Orchard Homes levee that changed some landward areas originally shown as floodway in earlier drafts to flood fringe on the preliminary maps, following updated FEMA guidance on how to treat constructed elements such as levees. He said the change does not remove the 100-year flood hazard for those lands but does change the classification; the floodway is generally the most restrictive area for alteration and development.

Process and next steps: Heimel said the immediate next public step is a Consultation/Coordination Officers (CCO) meeting in which the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and FEMA will present the preliminary maps. Months after that presentation, FEMA will open a comment and appeal period; Heimel described a 90-day appeal window that typically starts after the formal presentation. He said appeals must demonstrate that the study is "scientifically or mathematically wrong" and usually require work by a registered engineer.

County role: Heimel described the county's role as the repository and relay for public comments and appeals but said the county does not make final determinations on map changes. "I accept the comments and appeals, and I relay it to FEMA and DNRC," he said. "I, as the county floodplain administrator, don't have a reviewing or decision making role in a comment or an appeal." He encouraged residents to contact the county floodplain office for information and to review materials posted on the county's landing pages.

Where to get more information: Heimel directed listeners to the Missoula County Voice landing page and the Missoula County floodplain administration website for details about the preliminary maps, the CCO meeting and how to submit comments. He also noted residents may consult private registered engineers if they plan a technical appeal to FEMA.

No formal votes or regulatory changes were taken during the recorded discussion.

Contact: Missoula County communications, communications@missoulacounty.us, and the Missoula County Voice and county floodplain administration web pages for document links and updates.